Frequently Asked Questions

The Global Student Forum has over 190 national and international member organisations. If you count the local student unions, the number increases to 5900+

See the membership directory for all the countries and territories.

We do not offer individual memberships. If you are an individual student wanting to work with the Global Student Forum, check out our Take Action page. Here, you will also find information about how organisations can apply for membership.

The process involves submitting an application form, providing necessary documentation, and demonstrating alignment with GSF’s values and criteria. Detailed instructions can be found on our Membership page.

The processing time for membership applications can vary, but we aim to, review and respond within a maximum of three months after an application has been submitted. Feedback on applications will solely be provided through official Global Student Forum email addresses to ensure formality and prevent misinformation or fraud.

There are several reasons why a membership application to the Global Student Forum may be rejected. These include:

1. Non-compliance with Membership Criteria: Your organization may not meet the essential membership criteria, such as being student-led, having a democratic structure, or aligning with GSF’s values and objectives.
2. Incomplete Application: The application form may have been incomplete or missing the required documentation, making it difficult to assess eligibility.
3. Representation Concerns: Your organization may not adequately represent a significant number of students or lack legitimacy from the student body.
4. Autonomy and Independence: Your organization may not be sufficiently autonomous and independent in its decision-making processes.

Yes, you can reapply for membership. We recommend carefully reviewing the membership criteria and ensuring all necessary information and documentation are included in your new application.

No, this is not possible for us. We advocate for free and equitable access to education and believe that no student should be limited because of economic inequalities.

Subscribe to our newsletter and get all updates and opportunities directly in your inbox.

Students can get involved by participating in our campaigns, attending events, and joining working groups. Check out our Take Action page.

The Global Student Forum does not have a president. Instead, it has a Steering Committee comprised of representatives from across the membership. The Executive Director oversees the day-to-day business.

Check out our publications and the range of publications we have contributed to on our dedicated publication page.

GSF has clear and robust Safeguarding mechanisms. Read all about them here.

We advocate for transparency in governance and believe that we must also practice it ourselves. Read more on our Transparency page.

We prioritize user data protection and comply with relevant data protection regulations. Our Privacy Policy details the measures we take to secure your data.

The Global Student Forum, in its current form, has existed since 2020. Since the collapse of the International Union of Students in the early 2000s, the structure of the global umbrella organisation for student organisations in the world has changed from very informal to more formal over the years, with the name "Global Student Forum" coming into use in the period before 2020.

Check out our history page to learn much more.

Every day, we work with our member organisations to represent the students of the world and bring them closer together. This would not be possible without our many great partners. Meet them on the Partner page.

We welcome feedback and suggestions. Please select the Feedback option on our Contact form to share your thoughts.